Most people tend to forget that there are still hundreds of millions of computer users worldwide still
connected to the Web using 56K modems, having to dial up every time they want to enjoy the Internet experience.

In this regard, Linux distributions are no saints by all means, most having forwent the inclusion of drivers
for most common modems from their editions, making the life all the more difficult for the dialup users.

In this article, I will try - emphasis on try - to help the dialup users running Linux overcome their basic
problems. I must admit I have not used a modem in the last eight years or so, which makes it a bit difficult to
relate to the problem and write about it with any great experience and accuracy. Still, I would like to give it
a shot, even if the results may not be perfect, or even guaranteed.

If you are on Linux and have issues with your modem, maybe this compilation will help you. I can't promise any
miracles, but at least I hope to point you in the right direction.

Please note that this article is going to be a sort of a rolling tutorial. If and when you provide feedback on
your experiences with dial-up connectivity, I will add them here, making this compilation an even worthier
source for dial-up users worldwide.

Friendly Linux distributions

By friendly, I mean those that clearly state in their agenda the need for dial-up support. Even though the
Linux world is oriented toward low-end markets much more than the competition, dial-up seems to have been
forgotten somehow. Anyhow ...

Puppy Linux

One name stands in the crowd - Puppy Linux. This mighty little distribution is one of my long-time favorites.
I've reviewed it - and some of its variants, called puplets - no less than four times, with more to come.

The latest edition, 4.3, specifically states the importance of and need for dial-up support in the distribution
release notes. Highly commendable!

Internet by dialup: Unlike many other distros, Puppy has not forgotten those who access the Internet by analog
modem dialup. The kernel has drivers for many modems, including Agere, ESS, Lucent, Conexant, Smartlink, Pctel
and Intel chipsets. Rerwin has done an incredible job here, and in most cases we have automatic detection and
configuration. Rerwin has also done a lot of work on dialup via 3G devices.

You should definitely give Puppy a try. It's a worthy distro!

My reviews:

I am not familiar of any other distribution with a similar level of support. This does not mean it's not there
or it does not exist, merely that I have little or no knowledge about it. So please, feel free to email me with
your suggestions.

User feedback

I've had a very enthusiastic user write to me, reporting his success with dial-up on several distributions.
While the report reflects the personal experience of one man, you may still use it as a basic reference to what
you should expect from this or that Linux distribution.

Here's what Richard had to say:

Hardware used: USRobotics V.92 external serial modem

SimplyMepis 8.0 - Success. At first, the dial-up connection to the ISP would not work.
After uncommenting the #noauth line in the Kppp options file, the user managed to
connect. He also believes that this kind of detail would not be appreciated by Windows converters.

However, the distro comes with the right documentation, which helped the user handle the problem, including
troubleshooting issues with Kmail and Icedove mail clients.

Linux Mint 6.0 Felicia - Success. The required software is included, but
there is nothing in the distro help file. This leaves the users on pretty much their own.

PCLinuxOS 2009 - Success. However, the user did not elaborate much on the
endeavor.

Many thanks to Richard! If you have similar experience, feel free to share, including your own hardware, your
own tips and the results achieved.

Conclusion

I must admit this tutorial is rather slim, but it's getting fatter and better! Keep up with your great ideas
and suggestions. With your help, then we can make this an excellent guide for all dial-up users worldwide.

Meanwhile, you're encouraged to read my Broadband article, which has many
suggestions how to help dial-up users obtain up-to-date Linux distributions with lots of programs.